MONTPELIER ó The Vermont Department of Public Safety is making some staffing changes to emphasize the importance of using technology and data to make the state safer.

Effective Friday, the position of deputy commissioner will be held jointly by Francis Aumand, director of the Division of Criminal Justice Services, and Col. Tom LíEsperance, director of the Vermont State Police.

Aumand will be responsible for coordinating the departmentís technology and information sharing initiatives and will serve as the departmentís legislative liaison. LíEsperance will continue his focus on identifying and preventing criminal activity.